Russian, Syrian strikes pound Aleppo as rebels challenge Assad’s regime
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The news: Russian and Syrian warplanes launched intensified airstrikes on rebel-held areas in northwest Syria including Idlib and Aleppo, following a surprise offensive by insurgents led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkish-backed groups.
The context: Rebels captured much of Aleppo, its airport and surrounding areas on Saturday local time, marking the first rebel breach of the city since 2016.
Rebels have also pushed south into the major regime-held city of Hama, south of Aleppo, claiming to seize strategic towns, though the Syrian army contests this. Rebel factions, including Turkey-backed groups, control much of north-western Syria.
President Bashar al-Assad vowed to defeat the insurgents and has ordered reinforcements while regrouping forces. HTS’ offensive, long in planning, comes as Assad’s regime grapples with economic struggles and less active support from Russia and Iran, as its allies focus on other conflicts.
The numbers: On Sunday, Reuters reported Syrian government forces established a "strong defensive line" in northern Hama to counter the insurgents’ advances, citing the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Airstrikes hit Idlib and Aleppo, reportedly killing at least 15 people, the news agency said citing a group active in opposition-controlled regions, as civilians continued fleeing Aleppo amidst fears of heavy bombardment.
The opposition media and war monitors said the Russian and Syrian jets launched attacks near Aleppo University Hospital.
What they said: HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, in republished footage shared by group-linked social media networks over the weekend, vowed that his fighters would continue their efforts "until we reach the heart of Damascus."
In remarks published on state media, Assad said: "terrorists only know the language of force and it is the language we will crush them with".
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN the US was closely monitoring the situation in Syria, where around 900 American troops are stationed in the northeast to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group.
Sullivan said Washington has “real concerns about the designs and objectives of that organisation.”
“At the same time, of course, we don’t cry over the fact that the Assad government, backed by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, are facing certain kinds of pressure,” he added.
The sources: The Associated Press, Reuters, The Financial Times, The New York Times
